Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Research Byte: A #hierarchical model of early #brain #functional #network development - excellent #review #cognition #cognitive #brain networks #schoolpsychology

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A good overview/review article of the evolution of brain networks with an excellent visual-graphic summary (I love good visual summaries, which I label in my blog as being a Gv Figure Hall of Fame)

A hierarchical model of early brain functional network development 
Wei Gao, Open access (you can download and read) in Trends in Cognitive Science

Abstract 

Functional brain networks emerge prenatally, grow interactively during the first years of life, and optimize both within-network topology and between-network interactions as individuals age. This review summarizes research that has characterized this process over the past two decades, and aims to link functional network growth with emerging behaviors, thereby developing a more holistic understanding of the developing brain and behavior from a functional network perspective. This synthesis suggests that the development of the brain's functional networks follows an overlapping hierarchy, progressing from primary sensory/motor to socioemotional-centered development and finally to higher-order cognitive/executive control networks. Risk-related alterations, resilience factors, treatment effects, and novel therapeutic opportunities are also dis-cussed to encourage the consideration of future imaging-assisted methods for identifying risks and interventions.